Back pain is one of the most common disorders treated by physical therapy. Similar to our neck, our lower back, also known as the lumbar spine, is composed of a very complex system of vertebrae, intervertebral discs, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. When abnormal stress is placed on any of these structures, pain can result. During our daily activities, such as prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, or high impact running, our lower back must accommodate incredible amounts of force. Improper posture, muscular weakness, and decreased flexibility can all promote a situation where the lower back is unable to accommodate the forces placed upon it. If the low back is not able to accommodate the forces placed upon it, tissue failure will occur and pain will result. Physical therapy can help identify deficits in flexibility, deficits in strength, and deficits in posture that may be contributing to your back pain, or potentially cause back pain in the future.

Physical Health in General

Tissue irritation, resulting in pain, generally does not happen overnight. It is a slow process of musculoskeletal dysfunction that can potentially be identified long before any symptoms are felt. Physical therapists are trained to identify contributing factors to musculoskeletal impairments and dysfunction in order to correct and prevent future occurrence. If your physical health is important to you, and you would like to prevent future musculoskeletal problems, contact our office to inquire about preventative measures you can take to live a healthy, pain-free lifestyle.